The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing is marking its 70th anniversary, commemorating a legacy that began in 1955 in response to concerns about the shortage of registered nurses in the state. The college was established by Marion Fleck and Mary Jane Carter, with support from then-UNM President Tom Popejoy. It became New Mexico’s first baccalaureate nursing program.
Eleanor King, who previously worked at Yale University, served as the college's first dean and led the early development of its curriculum. The inaugural class consisted of 17 students, and clinical training sites were soon set up at Bernalillo County Indian Hospital and Bataan Memorial Methodist Hospital. The first group graduated in 1959, allowing the college to receive full accreditation from the National League for Nursing.
Dean Rosario Medina reflected on this history during the anniversary celebration: “Our story began with 17 students, one faculty member, and one extraordinary vision: to create a place of higher education for nurses – an innovative space where we could learn how to better serve our community and each other. That same spirit drives us today she said. ‘At the College of Nursing, we are the future of nursing. We get to change the health outcomes of New Mexicans. That is a great privilege, and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously.’”
Fleck and Carter played key roles in establishing the college by working closely with medical professionals across New Mexico and securing funding from the state legislature.
Over time, UNM College of Nursing expanded its academic offerings. In 1978 it introduced New Mexico’s first Master of Science in Nursing degree. Distance education began in 1988; online courses followed ten years later to reach nurses statewide. In 2003, it launched New Mexico’s first PhD program in nursing, followed by a Doctor of Nursing Practice program in 2016. The college also helped form the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium to unify nursing curricula across institutions.
Currently enrolling more than 1,000 students across various programs, UNM College of Nursing has produced over 10,000 alumni working throughout hospitals, clinics, schools, research centers and public health agencies.
Louise Kiger was among members of that first graduating class: “We were blessed at UNM to have people that started the program that were absolutely outstanding people,” she said.
Kiger credited her mother—who attended St. Vincent Hospital’s nursing school—and her high school nurse for inspiring her career path: “I grew up in Santa Clara Pueblo...and I think it’s because of her that she instilled in me this idea to become a nurse.”
After graduation Kiger joined the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps—including service during Vietnam—and later worked with Native communities as well as teaching positions abroad before becoming a school nurse herself.
She described Dean King as an important mentor who sought scholarships so students could continue their studies: “She knew all of us...And she looked everywhere and got scholarships for many of us so that we could continue and stay at UNM.”
Later on Kiger supported an endowment fund created in her honor: “I was helped all my life...the endowment provides money for Indian people that want to become nurses.”
In recognition of its milestone year and ongoing mission to address workforce needs across New Mexico—especially rural areas—the college has launched two new endowed scholarships supporting future students: The 70th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship (with a $35,000 match) and Rural Opportunities for DNP Students Endowment (with a $25,000 match).
For more information or to contribute toward these funds readers are encouraged to contact Ann-Mary MacLeod at UNM College of Nursing.
